Arsenic Bush

Senna septemtrionalis

Native to:
Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panamá

📍 View on iNaturalist →

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Fabaceae
Genus:
Senna
Species:
Senna septemtrionalis
USDA Symbol:
SESE13

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub , Tree
Height:
300 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
jul,aug,sep,oct,nov
Bloom Colors:
yellow
Landscaping Shrub:
Yes

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
butterflies, bees
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts from root crown after fire or hard pruning.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
prefers organic matter-rich soils

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
None required
Scarification:
Seed coat scarification required before sowing
Germination Time:
14–30 days
Notes:
Scarification of hard seed coat improves germination. Hot water treatment or mechanical scarification recommended.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI